Homelessness

VA Chief of Staff Tanya Bradsher visited the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System’s (VAGLAHS) West Los Angeles campus to reaffirm the commitment to ending Veterans homelessness.

As the nation grapples with record setting heat waves, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reminds Veterans and communities of various resources available to Veterans experiencing homelessness during the extreme heat.

In late 2020, Seattle’s VA Puget Sound Health Care System contacted community partners, such as homeless shelters, transitional housing programs and permanent housing programs to help get the COVID-19 vaccine directly to Veterans in need, such as those experiencing homelessness or those experiencing housing instability.

In addition to vaccinating Veterans, VA has offered the vaccine to non-Veterans as part of the Fourth Mission, which includes providing support for national, state and local efforts during public health and other emergencies. This support was evident on June 3, when VA held a COVID-19 vaccination clinic outside its Central Office in Washington, D.C., for anyone — not just Veterans — experiencing homelessness.

The Compensated Work Therapy-Transitional Residence Program was the perfect next-step for Marine Corps Veteran Rickey Ginn in his recovery. Program provides a safe, supportive therapeutic environment.

After years of health issues, addiction, and homelessness, Navy Veteran Dawn Densel is healthy, has stable housing, and works for the federal government, thanks to VA and its many programs for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

For 26 years, the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DC VAMC) has opened its doors to Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness for the annual Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down.

Charles Murray used to lug his heavy 12-year-old laptop 3 miles on his bike for his VA telehealth appointments. He now connects with his care team via VA Video Connect from a VA-connected iPad at home.

Social workers from the Amarillo VA Housing First Program found grants available from community organizations. They were able to pay every bill for every Veteran and prevent the loss of their homes.

Since its opening on Veterans Day in 2016, the John and Jill Ker Conway Residence has provided Veterans with community-based housing that includes an on-site case management team – consisting of two social workers, nurse, and peer support specialist – to address each Veteran’s mental and physical barriers to finding a permanent home.

VA and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) recently teamed up to host a Facebook Live event about the ways in which Veterans and their family members can access VA homelessness resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steps House dedicates 40 beds to Veterans who are experiencing homelessness, thanks to grants from VA’s Grant Per Diem (GPD) program. The GPD program aims to help Veterans who are homeless achieve residential stability, increased skills and income, and greater self-determination.